Gov. Rick Scott signs budget, vetoes $615 million in spending

The news of the vetoes elicited applause from the conservative crowd assembled in The Villages retirement community, where the political newcomer hosted what he billed as a “celebration” of his “jobs budget.” To underscore the campaign-like flavor, the event was underwritten and broadcast by the Republican Party of Florida.

One group, The Villages Democratic Club, was barred from the event, told by a staffer of Scott’s that it was a “private event.” Other staffers and Republican operatives scoured the crowd and had sheriffs deputies remove those who wore liberal-looking badges.

Is that even legal? Isn’t it a public event if he’s signing a public document for the public budget?